Story and photos by I.C.  Jimenez

November 8, 2012 (San Diego)--Heartland Coalition has received the prestigious “Service Firm of The Year” award by the Minority Business Development Agency.  The award, presented October 25 in Riverside, recognizes individuals and organizations that have demonstrated leadership and commitment in advancing minority business enterprises.  The MBDA theme for this year is “Build it here-sell it everywhere.”

November 3, 2012 (San Diego)—Kensington Community Church welcomes the Rev. Darryl Kistler as its new senior minister.  For the past five years, the Rev. Kistler, 37, served as pastor of Community Congregational Church in Kalispell, Montana, where he tripled average attendance, led the congregation through a vision process, prioritized the church’s online presence and use of technology in worship, and created and led a multi-faith youth group.

Animal rescue operation announces push for volunteers, interns and grant writers to help continue mission of compassion to save animals in need. Sanctuary serves neglected population of animals.

November 3, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Helping Hands Animal Sanctuary of La Mesa announced on October 23 a unique holiday volunteer drive to help continue its mission of providing help to a neglected population of animals in need. The volunteer drive will seek individuals who are willing to assist with the rescue of dogs, cats, birds and other small animals in neighborhoods that may be overlooked by larger animal shelters.  The drive will begin immediately and continue through the end of the year.

November 1, 2012 (San Diego) – Sempra Energy Foundation today pledged $50,000 in disaster-relief assistance funds to East Coast storm victims. In support of Sempra Energy companies’ employee giving efforts, the Foundation also will be matching up to an additional $50,000 in employee donations, bringing the total potential donation to $150,000 by the Foundation and company employees.

Sempra Energy Foundation will direct the funds through the American Red Cross National Relief Fund.

October 26, 2012 (La Mesa) – Space Bar Internet Café is hosting an evening of poetry against nuclear energy and for green energy on November 1 from 7:30 – 10:00 p.m.  All are welcome to participate by writing a poem expressing whistleblowing, wishes to stop nukes, a dream of green. 

Write a poem or just attend the event at 7454 University Ave., La Mesa.

October 20, 2012 (San Diego) -- La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club is having a Garage Sale Fundraiser on October 27^th, 7:30 am – 2:00 pm. at 6210 Lakeshore Dr. San Diego 92119 (San Carlos area). Merchandise available includes household items, electronics, quality clothing, children’s equipment and clothing, garden plants and cuttings, sports equipment, furniture and much more.

Local sports-themed hair care provider challenges team members and clients to make calls home possible for deployed and hospitalized U.S. service members through VFW’s Operation Uplink™

October 16, 2012 (Santee) -- Beginning October 15, Sport Clips Haircuts in Santee at 9349 Mission Gorge Road will join more than 950 of the franchise’s locations across the country in launching its annual “Help A Hero” fundraising campaign to support the Veterans of Foreign Wars’ (VFW) Operation Uplink™.

October 13, 2012 (El Cajon) – The East region community will celebrate Food Day on October 26 at The Palms, 143 East Main St., El Cajon from 9:30 am. To 1:00 p.m.  The forum will address what is being done in East Region schools, businesses and communities to increase healthy eating.

By Janis Mork

October 6, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- In a class last week, 5^th degree black belt martial arts master Scot Conway taught kids different techniques of how to handle physical bullying by showing by example at the Bully-Stop Seminar at the Guardian Academy. Adults learned just by Conway explaining it. ECM participated in a few of the techniques with the kids.

First, Conway handed out a sheet of paper to the parents. The kids lined up in a line across the mat and properly greeted Conway as their sensei (teacher) by clasping their hands and bowing.  Then, the kids gathered in a circle around Conway on the mat. Conway explained that one of the biggest problems of bullying is when parents are in the school office and claims are made that the bully and victim are just friends, that they’re just having fun.

October 2, 2012 (San Diego, CA) -- On Saturday, September 22, the San Diego Brain Injury Foundation (SDBIF) sponsored a “Friendraiser” at the Mission Trails Visitor Center. Over 200 guests attended the event that raised funds for the foundation. Susan Hansen, the Executive Director of the SDBIF, stated, “…it was a great success. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They were having such a good time at the Mission Trails Visitor Center, nobody wanted to leave.”

October 1, 2012 (Jacumba) – “There is hope for the families who were affected by the wildland fire,” says Lorrie Ostrander, who has been organizing a fundraiser to help the 11 families who lost their homes in the Shockey Fire.  “With the help of Alpine Albertsons, Jacumba Women's Club, Jacumba Lounge, Manzanita Diner and other local residents, we are having a dinner." Donations will benefit the families who lost everything, she added.

The benefit dinner will be held on Friday, October 12 from 4-8 p.m. at the Jacumba Highland Senior Center, 44681 Old Highway 80 in Jacumba 91934.  A $5 donation at the door is requested.  

Donations can also be sent to:  

September 25, 2012 (El Cajon )  - On Saturday, November 3,  the East San Diego County Kiwanis will host its 25th annual charity dinner dance, “Steak-Out.”  The Honky Tonk Kings will perform at the event, which will also include a silent option and opportunity drawings.  Festivities  will be held at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 East Douglas Ave. in El Cajon.

All proceeds from the event will help support the many fine organizations our Kiwanis club serves in the San Diego County area. Donations and prizes are welcome.

September 19, 2012 (El Cajon) -- The City of El Cajon Recreation Department, together with Crest Kiwanis, present the annual ALL FORE R.E.C. Golf Tournament.  The tournament will be held at the Sycuan Resort, 5485 Casino Way, El Cajon, on October 5.  All proceeds from the tournament directly support activities that develop youth and provide positive choices through youth activity scholarships, youth sports, recreation classes and after-school programs.

September 15, 2012 (Alpine)—Meatball the bear, originally slated to be temporarily housed at Lions, Tigers & Bears in Alpine, will now be staying permanently at the rescue facility. Owner Bobbi Brink has issued a plea for public help to build a larger enclosure for the bear, which had been wandering into neighborhoods before it was captured and taken to LTB to save it from being killed.

Teen and Adult Protection Training; Women's Self-Defense. (Men are welcome, too!)

September 10, 2012 (Spring Valley) -- Jennifer stepped into the parking lot at night, and what happened next got her to join a martial arts class right away. Tonya had a close encounter with a man who was "losing it," and that got her to come find out what to do from Master Conway. Why would they come to him? Because his student Debbie saved her neighbor from a violent criminal. Because his student Myrna stopped the man who attacked her walking home from work in two moves. Because Conway has a long history of making sure what he teaches really works. It will work for you.